Keyboard based graphical user interface navigation

ABSTRACT

A computer-implemented method of navigating a GUI can include, responsive to a user input initiating a navigation mode, overlaying, atop of the GUI located within a first layer, a virtual keyboard within a second layer, wherein the virtual keyboard includes a plurality of virtual keys. The method can include, for each virtual key, associating the virtual key with a region of the first layer including an area of the GUI beneath the virtual key. The method can include mapping each virtual key with a physical key of a physical keyboard communicatively linked with a computer rendering the GUI and, responsive to a user input selecting a physical key of the physical keyboard, selecting a region corresponding to the selected physical key. A level of magnification for the selected region can be increased within the first layer while keeping the virtual keyboard sizing constant.

BACKGROUND

The embodiments of the present invention relate to navigating agraphical user interface (GUI) with a keyboard. GUIs provide a user withan intuitive method of interacting with computing devices. GUIs presentgraphical representations of objects, as “icons,” which can be directlymanipulated by the user to perform computing operations. Computingoperations can be performed within the GUI by manipulating iconspresented on a two dimensional display device using some sort ofpointing device. As such, GUIs can reduce or replace the need for textbased commands when interacting with the computing device.

Another method of GUI interaction entails the use of touch screendisplays. Touch screen displays allow direct physical manipulation, bythe user, of icons presented by the GUI. Touch screen displays candetect user contact with the surface of the display. The geographicallocation of the user contact with the touch screen display can bedetermined by the system. Accordingly, users can directly manipulateicons displayed upon the touch screen display without the use of apointing device.

Accessible computing refers to the accessibility of a computing systemto all types of users. This accessibility is especially important tousers with physical or cognitive disabilities such as paralysis, hearingor visual impairments, dyslexia, autism, and the like. GUIs, pointingdevices, and touch screen displays are a few of the computinginnovations that seek to provide greater flexibility to users wheninteracting with computing devices. In this manner, innovations such asGUIs, pointing devices, and touch screen displays can increase useraccessibility to computing devices.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The embodiments disclosed within this specification relate to graphicaluser interfaces (GUIs). One embodiment of the present invention caninclude a computer-implemented method of navigating a GUI. The methodcan include, responsive to a user input initiating a navigation mode,overlaying, atop of the GUI located within a first layer, a virtualkeyboard within a second layer, wherein the virtual keyboard includes aplurality of virtual keys. The method further can include, for eachvirtual key, associating the virtual key with a region of the firstlayer including an area of the GUI beneath the virtual key. The methodcan include mapping each virtual key with a physical key of a physicalkeyboard communicatively linked with a computer rendering the GUI and,responsive to a user input selecting a physical key of the physicalkeyboard, selecting a region corresponding to the selected physical key.A level of magnification for the selected region can be increased withinthe first layer while keeping the virtual keyboard sizing constant.

Another embodiment of the present invention can include acomputer-implemented method of performing programmatic actions through aGUI. The method can include, responsive to a user input initiating anavigation mode, overlaying, atop of the GUI located within a firstlayer, a virtual keyboard within a second layer, wherein the virtualkeyboard includes a plurality of virtual keys. Further, for each virtualkey, the virtual key can be associated with a region of the first layerincluding an area of the GUI beneath the virtual key. The method furthercan include mapping each virtual key with a physical key of a physicalkeyboard communicatively linked with a computer rendering the GUI and,responsive to a user input selecting a physical key mapped to a virtualkey above a graphic representation of an icon within the region of thefirst layer associated with the virtual key, initiating a programmaticaction on the object.

Yet another embodiment of the present invention can include a computerprogram product including a computer-usable medium havingcomputer-usable program code that, when executed, causes a machine toperform the various steps and/or functions described herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a first block diagram illustrating a computing device forgraphical user interface (GUI) navigation in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a first pictorial view illustrating a user interface forkeyboard based GUI navigation in accordance with another embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 3 is a second pictorial view illustrating a user interface forkeyboard based GUI navigation in accordance with another embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 4 is a third pictorial view illustrating a user interface forkeyboard based GUI navigation in accordance with another embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating a method of keyboard based GUInavigation in accordance with another embodiment of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, embodiments of thepresent invention may take the form of a system, method, or computerprogram product. Accordingly, the present invention may take the form ofan entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment(including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.), or anembodiment combining software and hardware aspects that may allgenerally be referred to herein as a “circuit,” “module” or “system.”Furthermore, an embodiment of the present invention may take the form ofa computer program product embodied in any tangible medium of expressionhaving computer-usable program code embodied in the medium.

Any combination of one or more computer usable or computer readablemedia may be utilized. The computer-usable or computer-readable mediummay be, for example, but is not limited to, an electronic, magnetic,optical, magneto-optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductorsystem, apparatus, device, or propagation medium. More specific examples(a non-exhaustive list) of the computer-readable medium would includethe following: an electrical connection having one or more wires, aportable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), aread-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROMor Flash memory), an optical fiber, a portable compact disc read-onlymemory (CDROM), an optical storage device, a transmission media such asthose supporting the Internet or an intranet, or a magnetic storagedevice. Note that the computer-usable or computer-readable medium couldeven be paper or another suitable medium upon which the program isprinted, as the program can be electronically captured, via, forinstance, optical scanning of the paper or other medium, then compiled,interpreted, or otherwise processed in a suitable manner, if necessary,and then stored in a computer memory. In the context of this document, acomputer-usable or computer-readable medium may be any medium that cancontain, store, communicate, propagate, or transport the program for useby or in connection with the instruction execution system, apparatus, ordevice. The computer-usable medium may include a propagated data signalwith the computer-usable program code embodied therewith, either inbaseband or as part of a carrier wave. The computer usable program codemay be transmitted using any appropriate medium, including but notlimited to wireless, wireline, optical fiber cable, RF, etc.

Computer program code for carrying out operations of the presentinvention may be written in any combination of one or more programminglanguages, including an object oriented programming language such asJava, Smalltalk, C++, or the like and conventional proceduralprogramming languages, such as the “C” programming language or similarprogramming languages. The program code may execute entirely on theuser's computer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alonesoftware package, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remotecomputer or entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latterscenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user's computerthrough any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or awide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an externalcomputer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet ServiceProvider).

The present invention is described below with reference to flowchartillustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems), andcomputer program products according to embodiments of the invention. Itwill be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and/orblock diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchartillustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computerprogram instructions. These computer program instructions may beprovided to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purposecomputer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce amachine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor ofthe computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, createmeans for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchartand/or block diagram block or blocks.

These computer program instructions may also be stored in acomputer-readable medium that can direct a computer or otherprogrammable data processing apparatus to function in a particularmanner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readablemedium produce an article of manufacture including instruction meanswhich implement the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks.

The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer orother programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series ofoperational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmableapparatus to produce a computer implemented process such that theinstructions which execute on the computer or other programmableapparatus provide processes for implementing the functions/actsspecified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

The embodiments disclosed within this specification relate to navigatinga graphical user interface (GUI). More particularly, the embodimentsrelate to using a keyboard to navigate and perform programmatic actionswithin the GUI. Having multiple methods of interacting with a computingdevice can provide increased computing accessibility to a wider varietyof users. As keyboards are ubiquitous to modern computing devices,providing a method of keyboard based navigation for the GUI createsanother avenue of computing accessibility to users without access to, orcapacity to operate, pointing devices and touch screen displays.

In accordance with the inventive arrangements disclosed herein, a usercan invoke a navigation mode while interacting with a GUI rendered on adisplay of a computing device. In the navigation mode, a virtualkeyboard can be superimposed over the GUI on the display. Each virtualkey of the virtual keyboard can be mapped to a physical key of aphysical keyboard communicatively linked with the computing device.Pressing a physical key can zoom the GUI into a region of the GUIlocated beneath the virtual key mapped to the physical pressed by theuser. The zoomed region of the GUI can be relocated under the virtualkeyboard.

Continuing iteratively in this manner, the user can navigate to adesired object or region of the GUI. Upon reaching the desired object orlocation, a user input can assign a particular programmatic action tothe physical keys of the physical keyboard. Pressing a physical key onthe physical keyboard can initiate the programmatic action on an objectlocated beneath the virtual key mapped to the pressed physical key.

FIG. 1 is a first block diagram illustrating a computing device 100 forGUI navigation in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention. Computing device 100 can increase computing accessibility byproviding a keyboard based system for navigating a GUI and performingprogrammatic actions within the GUI. Computing device 100 can includedisplay device 105, and physical keyboard 110. Computing device 100 canbe any data processing system or device that can store and/or executeprogram code, and more specifically, program code related to the displayand operation of a GUI as described within this specification.

A computer suitable for storing and/or executing program code willinclude at least one processor coupled directly or indirectly tophysical memory elements through a system bus. The memory elements caninclude local memory employed during actual execution of the programcode, e.g., random access memory, bulk storage, and cache memories whichprovide temporary storage of at least some program code in order toreduce the number of times code must be retrieved from bulk storageduring execution.

Input/output or I/O devices, such as physical keyboard 110, and display105, can be coupled to computing device 100 either directly or throughintervening I/O controllers. Physical keyboard 110 can include aplurality of physical keys to which a user may provide input tocomputing device 100. Additionally, display 105 can present graphicalrepresentations of objects, or “icons,” related to the GUI which can beprogrammatically operated upon and manipulated by the user.

Network adapters may also be coupled to the computing device 100 toenable the computing device 100 to become coupled to other computingdevices or remote printers or storage devices through interveningprivate or public networks. Modems, cable modems, and Ethernet cards arejust a few of the currently available types of network adapters.Computing device 100 can execute operational software, whether anoperating system or an operating system executing one or moreapplication programs.

Computing device 100 can be implemented as a workstation, a desktop orlaptop computing device, a dedicated multi-media device, a wired orwireless handheld multi-media device, a personal digital assistant, amobile or terrestrial telephone, or any other type of computing devicecontaining some form of physical keyboard and display that is capable ofrendering a GUI.

GUI layer 115 can be any graphical environment displayed upon display105 that is rendered by the operating system and/or application programin cooperation with the operating system of computing device 100. GUIlayer 115 can include the graphic representations of objects, e.g.,icons, that may be rendered on display 105. Within this specification,from time to time, reference will be made to icons. It should beappreciated that the phrase icon and object may be used interchangeablywithin this specification to refer to any type of graphic object orgraphical representation of an object rendered within the GUI layer 115.Icons can include graphical representations of a program, a programmaticfunction, a file, data or a collection of data, or any other objectsubject that may be the subject of a programmatic action. Iconspresented within GUI layer 115 can be the subject of a variety ofprogrammatic actions, e.g., moving, copying, opening, scrolling, and thelike. Accordingly, while the specification may reference implementing aprogrammatic action upon an icon, it should be appreciated that thesubject of the programmatic action will be the object stored in memorythat is represented by the icon.

GUI layer 115 may take the entirety of the display area of display 105.Alternatively, the size of GUI layer 115 can be limited to a region ofdisplay 105 which is less than the total viewable area of display 105. Auser can navigate within an area defined by GUI layer 115 in order toaccess various regions of, and icons within, GUI layer 115.

Virtual keyboard 120 can be a graphical representation of physicalkeyboard 110. Virtual keyboard 120 can be rendered by computing device100. Virtual keyboard 120 can be visually overlaid atop GUI layer 115 ina manner that does not fully obscure the contents of GUI layer 115. Forexample, virtual keyboard 120 can be rendered graphically as atranslucent, transparent, or semi-transparent layer which iscomprehensible to the user while not fully obscuring GUI layer 115.Virtual keyboard 120 can graphically represent any of a variety ofkeyboards and/or keypads that may be communicatively linked withcomputing device 100. In addition, virtual keyboard 120, as graphicallydisplayed, can present all or a portion of the keyboard and/or keypadcommunicatively linked with computing device 100.

Typically, GUI layer 115 is navigated using a pointing device, e.g., amouse, touchpad, or the like, that may be used to select or manipulateicons within GUI layer 115. Movement of the pointing device navigatesthe cursor within GUI layer 115. User inputs received through thepointing device, e.g., a right click of a mouse, can initiate a varietyof programmatic actions on icons selected by the pointing device.Appreciably, the GUI allows one to manipulate icons that representprogrammatic objects. Moving or dragging an icon invokes the same actionupon the object represented by that icon. Touch screen displays providesimilar functionality within GUI layer 115. Using a touch screen, theuser can directly manipulate icons presented within GUI layer 115 aswell as initiate programmatic actions on those icons. At times, however,the pointing device or touch screen may not be available to, orutilizable by, a user. In that case, providing the user an alternativetechnique for interacting with the GUI is desirable.

Using computing device 100, a user input can invoke a navigation mode.In one embodiment, a predetermined physical key or combination ofphysical keys, e.g., a function key, on physical keyboard 110 can bemapped to invoke the navigation mode when pressed. Responsive to thenavigation mode being initiated, computing device 100 can overlayvirtual keyboard 120 atop of GUI layer 115. Each virtual key of thevirtual keyboard 120 can be associated with a region of GUI 110 locatedbeneath, or directly beneath, each respective virtual key. Additionally,each virtual key can be mapped to a corresponding physical key ofphysical keyboard 110.

Although the GUI layer 115 and the virtual keyboard 120 can be presentedas overlaying layers, information contained within each layer can remainintelligible to the user. A user can navigate to a particular region ofGUI layer 115 by selecting a virtual key which overlays the desiredregion of GUI layer 115 and pressing a physical key mapped to theselected virtual key. Responsive to the user pressing the physical key,computing device 100 can zoom into the selected region of GUI layer 115.In other words, the selected region of GUI layer 115 can be magnifiedand re-rendered with an increased level of magnification. Virtualkeyboard 120 can be overlaid, or remain overlaid, atop the magnified,selected region.

FIG. 2 is a first pictorial view illustrating a user interface 200 forkeyboard based GUI navigation in accordance with another embodiment ofthe present invention. A system, as described with reference to FIG. 1,can render user interface 200 upon a display. User interface 200illustrates the case where a user has selected a function key or a keycombination invoking the navigation mode. Accordingly, the system hasoverlaid virtual keyboard 120, which lies within a second layer, atop ofthe GUI, which resides within a first layer. User interface 200 caninclude the virtual keyboard as well as icons 210, 215, and 220.

Virtual keyboard 120 can be a graphic representation of a physicalkeyboard communicatively linked with the computing device outputtinguser interface 200. Virtual keyboard 120 can represent a portion or allof the physical keys of the physical keyboard communicatively linkedwith the computing device. In one embodiment, virtual keyboard 120 cangraphically present, as virtual keys, all physical keys of the physicalkeyboard except for two or more function keys of the physical keyboard.In that case, the two or more function keys can be reserved for userinputs that initiate programmatic actions to icons within the GUI layerof user interface 200. Although implemented as a Qwerty keyboard in FIG.2, virtual keyboard 120 can be any keyboard, keypad, or other inputdevice which contains two or more physical keys which may be selected bythe user and are separated in a manner that allows a graphicalrepresentation of the input device to be overlaid atop the GUI layer. Assuch, the examples presented within this specification are not intendedto limit the embodiments disclosed.

Icons 210-220 can represent objects within the GUI layer of userinterface 200. Each of icons 210-220 can be the subject of aprogrammatic action. For example, an icon can be a button of anoperating system or an application, a file or a shortcut to a file to beopened, an application drop down menu to be navigated, a menu item onthe drop down menu, or any other visual element that may exist and beactivated or selected within a GUI environment.

In operation, virtual keyboard 120 can be overlaid atop icons 210-220 ofthe GUI layer while not obscuring icons 210-220. For example, virtualkeyboard 120 can be graphically presented in a semi-transparent form,thereby allowing icons 210-220 to be clearly discerned or viewed by auser. In another example, icons 210-220 can be highlighted or have achange of color to make icons 210-220 intelligible under virtualkeyboard 120. As such, the graphical presentation of virtual keyboard120 and icons 210-220 can be implemented in any manner that concurrentlyretains intelligibility of virtual keyboard 120 and icons 210-220.

Each virtual key, e.g. virtual key 225, in virtual keyboard 120 can beassociated with a geographical region (region) of the GUI layer beneatheach respective virtual key. In one embodiment, each region can bedefined by the perimeter of the virtual key directly above. That is,each region can be located exactly below the virtual key above and notextend beyond the perimeter of that virtual key. In another embodiment,the region of the GUI layer associated with each virtual key can extendbeyond the perimeter of the virtual key by a predetermined distance inone or more or all directions. Accordingly, regions associated with eachvirtual key can overlap. In another embodiment, the region associatedwith each virtual key can be adjustable and defined by the user or thesystem. For example, a region can extend, in all directions, onecentimeter beyond the perimeter of virtual key 225 based upon a userspecified setting. In that case, the region associated with virtual key225 would overlay the region of each neighboring virtual key of virtualkey 225.

Each virtual key within virtual keyboard 120 can be mapped to a physicalkey of the physical keyboard communicatively linked with the computingdevice associated with user interface 200. In one embodiment, eachvirtual key can be mapped to an analogous physical key, e.g., having asame letter, number, or symbol, as the virtual key. For example, virtualkey 225 contains the letter “S” and can be mapped to the physical “S”key on the physical keyboard.

A user wanting to navigate to icon 210 within user interface 200 candetermine which virtual keys overlay icon 210. In user interface 200,multiple virtual keys can overlay icon 210. The user can determine thatvirtual key 225 overlays the perimeter of icon 210 and press thephysical key mapped to virtual key 225. Responsive to the user pressingthe physical key mapped to virtual key 225, user interface 200 cannavigate to, or “zoom into,” the region associated with virtual key 225.

It should be noted that multiple virtual keys can make contact with icon210, e.g., contact or overlap the perimeter of icon 210 or residecompletely within the perimeter of icon 210. As such, pressing thephysical key mapped to any of the multiple virtual keys that contacticon 210 can navigate the user to icon 210. For example, the user canselect the “A,” “D,” “X,” “Z,” or “left shift” physical keys to achievesubstantially the same result as selecting the “S” physical key.Additionally, the size of the region associated with each virtual keycan affect the level of accuracy necessary when selecting a virtual keythat navigates to icon 210.

For example, the region associated with each virtual key can extend wellbeyond the perimeter of each virtual key. A user can strike a physicalkey mapped to a virtual key that is close to, but outside of, theperimeter of icon 210. As the region associated with each virtual keycan extend beyond the perimeter of each virtual key, the zoomed inregion presented on user interface 200 after the physical key mapped tothe virtual key is pressed will likely contain icon 210 even though thevirtual key lay outside the perimeter of icon 210, e.g., not directlycontact icon 210.

FIG. 3 is a second pictorial view illustrating user interface 200 forkeyboard based GUI navigation in accordance with another embodiment ofthe present invention. FIG. 3 illustrates the state of user interface200 after a user selection of a region of a GUI layer associated withvirtual key 225 has occurred as illustrated in FIG. 2. Like numbers willbe used to refer to the same components throughout this specification.User interface 200 can include virtual keyboard 120 as well as icon 210.

Referring to FIG. 3, the selected region associated with virtual key 225can be magnified and redrawn within a portion of user interface 200occupied by the virtual keyboard 120. Additionally, the magnified regioncan be centered to reside beneath virtual keyboard 120. The level ofmagnification can be determined by the size of the region associatedwith each virtual key and the portion of user interface 200 occupied byvirtual keyboard 120. The selection and magnification process can allowthe user to navigate, or zoom in, to an icon, e.g., icon 210, byselecting a physical key mapped to a virtual key associated with aregion of the GUI layer that contains the desired icon.

Virtual keyboard 120 can remain overlaid atop the selected region. Inone embodiment, the virtual keyboard 120 can remain a same sizethroughout the navigation process. Once the GUI layer is redrawn beneathvirtual keyboard 120, the various regions of the GUI layer that aremapped to individual keys of virtual keyboard 120 can be remapped. Forexample, within the magnified and redrawn region, each virtual key canbe mapped to, or define, a sub-region that lies directly beneath thatvirtual key or that extends beyond the perimeter of the virtual key asdescribed with reference to FIG. 2. With virtual keyboard 120 in place,the user can select a sub-region of the selected region to navigate toby selecting a virtual key associated with the sub-region. In thismanner, the user can continue an iterative process of navigating withinthe GUI layer. Subsequent to an iteration of the navigation process, theselected sub-region can be magnified and rendered within a portion ofuser interface 200. Accordingly, virtual keyboard 225 can be overlaidatop the selected sub-region. The iterative process can cease when theuser has navigated to a desired region of, or icon within, the GUIlayer.

It should be noted that the navigation process can enable the user tonavigate to either a region of the GUI layer or an icon within the GUIlayer. For example, the user may desire to magnify a region of the GUIlayer to improve readability of text within the region. Alternatively,the user may desire to perform an operation on an icon. In that case,the user may iteratively navigate within the GUI layer until a virtualkey resides over the icon. A physical key mapped to the virtual keysuperimposed over the icon then can be selected to implement aprogrammatic action upon the icon.

FIG. 4 is a third pictorial view illustrating the user interface 200 forkeyboard based GUI navigation in accordance with another embodiment ofthe present invention. FIG. 4 illustrates the state of user interface200 after a user input assigning a programmatic action to the physicalkeys of the system has occurred. User interface 400 can include virtualkeyboard 120 as well as icon 210.

Having navigated to the region of the GUI layer including icon 210, auser input can assign a programmatic action to each mapped physical keyof the physical keyboard. Further, each of the mapped physical keys willbe assigned a same programmatic action. The assigning of theprogrammatic action can be implemented with a user input selecting oneor more of the physical keys not mapped to the virtual keyboard, e.g.,keys devoted to acting as function keys. As the physical keys mapped tovirtual keys can be reserved for selecting regions of the GUI layerduring navigation, unmapped keys of the physical keyboard can be used toassign various programmatic actions to the mapped physical keys.

In one embodiment, the user can press one of a plurality of functionkeys. Responsive to the selection of a function key, a programmaticaction can be assigned to the mapped physical keys based upon theparticular function key selected. Each function key can assign aparticular programmatic action to the mapped physical keys responsive tothe particular function key being pressed. For example, a user cannavigate with the physical keyboard to an icon within the GUI layerassociated with a file. Pressing the F1 function key, the programmaticaction “open file” can be assigned to the mapped physical keys of thephysical keyboard. An “F” virtual key can be located directly over thefile icon and mapped to the “F” physical key. Accordingly, the user canstrike the “F” physical key on the physical keyboard, thereby initiatingthe opening of a file associated with the icon beneath the virtual key“F.”

Responsive to the user input assigning the programmatic action to thephysical keys, a change of appearance of each virtual key can occur. Thechange of appearance can signify that a programmatic action has beenassigned to each respective physical key, identify a type ofprogrammatic action assigned to the physical keys, and/or indicate aparticular icon or region to which each virtual key can be associated.For example, the change of appearance can include a change of color orhighlighting of the perimeter, or the area within the perimeter, of thevirtual key. In another example, the change of appearance can include arendering of a symbol, letter, number, or object within the virtual key.

In one embodiment, an “x” can be rendered within each virtual key toidentify the assigning of the programmatic action to the physical keyassociated with each virtual key. In addition, the “x,” or otherindicator, can identify the location, or icon, associated with eachvirtual key. For example, indicator 405 within virtual key 410 canreside outside of the perimeter of icon 210. The location of indicator405 can indicate that virtual key 410 is not associated with icon 210.As such, the selection of the physical key mapped to virtual key 410will not result in the assigned programmatic action being invoked uponicon 210.

Alternatively, indicator 415 within the virtual key 420 can residewithin the perimeter of icon 210. The location of indicator 415, withinthe perimeter of icon 210, can indicate that virtual key 420 isassociated with icon 210. As such, the selection of the physical keymapped to virtual key 420 can invoke the assigned programmatic action toicon 210.

In one embodiment, at each iterative step of the navigation process, thesystem can intelligently determine issues related to a navigation step,or a programmatic action. For example, subsequent to a user navigatingto a particular region of the GUI layer, the system can alert the useras to a number of icons residing within the particular region. Inanother example, responsive to selecting a physical key to invoke aprogrammatic action upon an icon, the system can determine the user hasselected a region in which two icons reside. The system can query theuser as to which of the two icons residing in the selected region theprogrammatic action will be applied. The system can determine the userhas selected a region which does not contain an icon. The system thencan alert the user that no icon was detected in the selected region, andtherefore, no programmatic action was taken.

Responsive to the selection of the physical key, and the invoking of theassigned programmatic action, the virtual keyboard 120 can be removedfrom user interface 400. Accordingly, the user can return to a full viewof the GUI layer, e.g., where no regions are magnified and virtualkeyboard 120 is removed from the display, until such time as furthernavigation of the GUI layer may be desired.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating a method 500 of keyboard based GUInavigation in accordance with another embodiment of the presentinvention. The method 500 can be implemented using a system such as thatdescribed with reference to FIG. 1 or any other system with the same orsimilar functionality.

Accordingly, in step 505, the system can receive a user input initiatinga navigation mode on the system. In the navigation mode, the user cannavigate within a GUI rendered on a display device of the system usingthe physical keyboard of the system. In step 510, the system can overlaya virtual keyboard atop a GUI layer rendered within a display of thesystem.

In step 515, the system can associate each virtual key with a region ofthe GUI layer beneath each virtual key. Each region can be defined bythe perimeter of the virtual key. Alternatively, each region can bedefined by a predetermined area beneath, and surrounding, the perimeterof the virtual key. In step 520, the system can map each virtual key toa physical key on a physical keyboard communicatively linked to thesystem. In this manner, each physical key can be mapped to a region ofthe GUI layer beneath a particular virtual key corresponding to eachphysical key.

In decision box 525, the system can monitor for a user input selecting aphysical key. When the selection of a physical key is detected, method500 can continue to decision box 530. When the selection of a physicalis not detected the method 500 can return to step 525 and continuemonitoring for the selection of a physical key. Though not shown, itshould be appreciated that error handling and a mechanism to exit themethod illustrated in FIG. 5 may be introduced at this point or variousother points of the flow chart. In any case, in decision box 530, thesystem can determine whether the user has selected a mapped physical keyor a physical key that is not mapped to a virtual key of the virtualkeyboard, e.g., a function key. When the user has selected a unmappedphysical key, method 500 can continue to step 545. When the user hasselected a mapped physical key, the method can continue to step 535.

In step 535, the system can determine the region of GUI layer associatedwith the virtual key mapped to the selected physical key. For example,the user can press the “tab” key of the physical keyboard which ismapped to the “tab” virtual key on the virtual keyboard. The system candetermine the “tab” virtual key is associated with the region of the GUIlayer directly beneath the “tab” virtual key, e.g., the portion of GUIlayer outlined by the perimeter of the “tab” virtual key.

In step 540, the system can magnify the selected region of the GUIlayer. Additionally, the virtual keyboard can be overlaid atop themagnified, selected region. Accordingly, method 500 can return to step515, where regions, or sub-regions as the case may be, of the GUI layercan be remapped as the positioning of elements of the GUI layer willhave changed with respect to the virtual keyboard above with themagnification applied. The system navigates, or “zooms into,” theselected region, thereby redrawing the GUI layer beneath the virtualkeyboard using a higher level of magnification upon the selected region.

Continuing with step 545, with the user having navigated to a desiredregion of the GUI layer, responsive to a user input, the system candetermine that an unmapped physical key has been selected that assigns aparticular programmatic action to each mapped physical key. The userinput assigning the programmatic action can be applied to any physicalkey of the physical keyboard not mapped to a virtual key. As such, theprogrammatic action can be assigned to all virtual keys of the virtualkeyboard.

In step 550, the system can alter an appearance of each virtual key toidentify the assignment of a programmatic action to each mapped physicalkey. In addition, the altered appearance can provide an identifier orindicator of an association of an icon, or region, with each virtualkey. In one embodiment, an indicator can be rendered within each virtualkey subsequent to the user input assigning a programmatic action to thevirtual keys. The presence of the indicator within each virtual key canindicate a programmatic action has been assigned to the virtual key.Additionally, the location of the identifier can indicate the iconbeneath the virtual key associated with the virtual key. In this manner,the icon upon which the programmatic action will be applied can beidentified prior to a mapped physical key being selected.

In step 555, responsive to the user pressing a mapped physical key thesystem can apply the assigned programmatic action to an icon beneath,and associated with, the virtual key mapped to the physical key that waspressed. For example, a programmatic action of opening a file can beassigned to each physical key. The system can render an “x” in eachvirtual key responsive to the assignment of the programmatic action tothe physical keys. The “x” rendered within a virtual key “M,” mapped tophysical key “M,” can be atop a document file the user has selected toopen. Responsive to the user pressing the “M” physical key, the systemcan open the selected document file.

In step 560, subsequent to the programmatic action being invoked, oralternatively responsive to the user invoking a function that exits theGUI navigation technique described within this specification, the systemcan remove the virtual keyboard overlay. With the virtual keyboardremoved, the user can continue operation within the GUI until such timeas the user wishes to repeat the initiation of the navigation mode. Inone embodiment, subsequent to the programmatic action being applied, thesystem can return to an original rendering of the GUI layer as presentedprior to the user initiating the navigation mode. In other words, thedisplay view can zoom out to a full presentation of the GUI layer asprovided prior to the initiation of the navigation mode. Such“demagnification” can be useful particularly where the result of aprogrammatic action is displayed elsewhere on the display and outside ofthe magnified region rendered on the display.

The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate thearchitecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementationsof systems, methods, and computer program products according to variousembodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in theflowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portionof code, which comprises one or more executable instructions forimplementing the specified logical function(s). It should also be notedthat, in some alternative implementations, the functions noted in theblock may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, twoblocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantiallyconcurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverseorder, depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be notedthat each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, andcombinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchartillustration, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-basedsystems that perform the specified functions or acts, or combinations ofspecial purpose hardware and computer instructions.

The flowchart(s) and block diagram(s) in the figures illustrate thearchitecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementationsof systems, methods, and computer program products according to variousembodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in theflowchart(s) or block diagram(s) may represent a module, segment, orportion of code, which comprises one or more executable instructions forimplementing the specified logical function(s). It should also be notedthat, in some alternative implementations, the functions noted in theblocks may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, twoblocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantiallyconcurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverseorder, depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be notedthat each block of the block diagram(s) and/or flowchartillustration(s), and combinations of blocks in the block diagram(s)and/or flowchart illustration(s), can be implemented by special purposehardware-based systems that perform the specified functions or acts, orcombinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. Asused herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify thepresence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements,and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of oneor more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements,components, and/or groups thereof.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of allmeans or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended toinclude any structure, material, or act for performing the function incombination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. Thedescription of the present invention has been presented for purposes ofillustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive orlimited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications andvariations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the artwithout departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Theembodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain theprinciples of the invention and the practical application, and to enableothers of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention forvarious embodiments with various modifications as are suited to theparticular use contemplated.

Having thus described the invention of the present application in detailand by reference to the embodiments thereof, it will be apparent thatmodifications and variations are possible without departing from thescope of the invention defined in the appended claims.

1. A computer-implemented method of navigating a graphical userinterface (GUI), the method comprising: responsive to a user inputinitiating a navigation mode, overlaying, atop of the GUI located withina first layer, a virtual keyboard within a second layer, wherein thevirtual keyboard comprises a plurality of virtual keys; for each virtualkey, associating the virtual key with a region of the first layercomprising an area of the GUI beneath the virtual key; mapping eachvirtual key with a physical key of a physical keyboard communicativelylinked with a computer rendering the GUI; and responsive to a user inputselecting a physical key of the physical keyboard, selecting a regioncorresponding to the selected physical key and increasing a level ofmagnification for the selected region within the first layer whilekeeping the virtual keyboard sizing constant.
 2. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein responsive to a userinput selecting a physical key of the physical keyboard, selecting aregion corresponding to the selected physical key and increasing a levelof magnification for the selected region within the first layer whilekeeping the virtual keyboard sizing constant further comprises: for eachvirtual key, associating the virtual key with a sub-region of themagnified selected region within the first layer beneath the virtualkey; and responsive to a subsequent user input selecting a physical keyof the physical keyboard, selecting the sub-region of the magnifiedselected region corresponding to the selected physical key andincreasing a level of magnification for the selected sub-region withinthe first layer while keeping the virtual keyboard sizing constant. 3.The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein increasing a levelof magnification for the selected region further comprises redrawing theGUI with the selected region centered beneath the virtual keyboard andat a higher level of magnification, wherein the selected region occupiesa greater area of a display than was occupied at the lower level ofmagnification.
 4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, furthercomprising: responsive to receiving a user input, assigning one of aplurality of programmatic actions to each physical key of the physicalkeyboard; and responsive to a user input selecting a physical key mappedto a virtual key above an icon within the first layer, initiating theassigned programmatic action on the icon.
 5. The computer-implementedmethod of claim 4, further comprising determining that the virtual keyis above the icon and, in response, changing an appearance of thevirtual key to indicate that a selection of the physical keycorresponding to the virtual key initiates the programmatic action uponthe icon.
 6. The computer-implemented method of claim 4, furthercomprising determining that the virtual key is above the icon and, inresponse, changing an appearance of the virtual key to indicate thevirtual key is above a graphic representation of an object within thefirst layer.
 7. The computer-implemented method of claim 4, whereinresponsive to a user input selecting a physical key mapped to a virtualkey above the icon, initiating the assigned programmatic action on theicon further comprises removing the virtual keyboard subsequent to theuser input selecting the physical key.
 8. The computer-implementedmethod of claim 1, wherein the virtual keyboard is a facsimile of atleast a portion of the physical keyboard.
 9. The computer-implementedmethod of claim 1, wherein responsive to a user input initiating anavigation mode, overlaying, atop of the GUI located within a firstlayer, a virtual keyboard within a second layer, wherein the virtualkeyboard comprises a plurality of virtual keys further comprisesdisplaying the virtual keyboard in a semi-transparent form, wherein theGUI located within the first layer is not obscured subsequent tooverlaying of the virtual keyboard.
 10. The computer-implemented methodof claim 1, wherein responsive to a user input selecting a physical keyof the physical keyboard, selecting a region corresponding to theselected physical key and increasing a level of magnification for theselected region within the first layer while keeping the virtualkeyboard sizing constant further comprises receiving a user inputdefining the level of magnification for the selected region within thefirst layer.
 11. A computer-implemented method of performingprogrammatic actions through a graphical user interface (GUI), themethod comprising: responsive to a user input initiating a navigationmode, overlaying, atop of the GUI located within a first layer, avirtual keyboard within a second layer, wherein the virtual keyboardcomprises a plurality of virtual keys; for each virtual key, associatingthe virtual key with a region of the first layer comprising an area ofthe GUI beneath the virtual key; mapping each virtual key with aphysical key of a physical keyboard communicatively linked with acomputer rendering the GUI; and responsive to a user input selecting aphysical key mapped to a virtual key above an icon within the region ofthe first layer associated with the virtual key, initiating aprogrammatic action on the icon.
 12. The computer-implemented method ofclaim 11, wherein responsive to a user input selecting a physical keymapped to a virtual key above an icon within the region of the firstlayer associated with the virtual key, initiating a programmatic actionon the icon further comprises, responsive to receiving a user input,assigning one of a plurality of programmatic actions to each physicalkey of the physical keyboard.
 13. The computer-implemented method ofclaim 11, wherein responsive to a user input selecting a physical keymapped to a virtual key above an icon within the region of the firstlayer associated with the virtual key, initiating a programmatic actionon the icon further comprises for each virtual key of the virtualkeyboard, determining whether the virtual key is above an icon withinthe first layer.
 14. The computer-implemented method of claim 11,further comprising, responsive to a user input selecting a physical keyof the physical keyboard, selecting a region corresponding to theselected physical key and increasing a level of magnification for theselected region within the first layer while keeping the virtualkeyboard sizing constant.
 15. The computer-implemented method of claim14, wherein responsive to a user input selecting a physical key of thephysical keyboard, selecting a region corresponding to the selectedphysical key and increasing a level of magnification for the selectedregion within the first layer while keeping the virtual keyboard sizingconstant further comprises: for each virtual key, associating thevirtual key with a sub-region of the magnified selected region withinthe first layer beneath the virtual key; and responsive to a subsequentuser input selecting a physical key of the physical keyboard, selectinga sub-region of the magnified selected region corresponding to theselected physical key and increasing a level of magnification for theselected sub-region within the first layer while keeping the virtualkeyboard sizing constant.
 16. A computer program product comprising: acomputer-usable storage device having stored thereon computer-usableprogram code that navigates a graphical user interface (GUI) responsiveto inputs from a physical keyboard, the computer-usable program codecomprising: computer-usable program code that, responsive to a userinput initiating a navigation mode, overlays, atop of the GUI locatedwithin a first layer, a virtual keyboard within a second layer, whereinthe virtual keyboard comprises a plurality of virtual keys;computer-usable program code that, for each virtual key, associates thevirtual key with a region of the first layer comprising an area of theGUI beneath the virtual key; computer-usable program code that maps eachvirtual key with a physical key of the physical keyboard communicativelylinked with a computer rendering the GUI; and computer-usable programcode that, responsive to a user input selecting a physical key of thephysical keyboard, selects a region corresponding to the selectedphysical key and increases a level of magnification for the selectedregion within the first layer while keeping the virtual keyboard sizingconstant.
 17. The computer program product of claim 16, wherein thecomputer-usable program code that, responsive to a user input selectinga physical key of the physical keyboard, selects a region correspondingto the selected physical key and increases a level of magnification forthe selected region within the first layer while keeping the virtualkeyboard sizing constant further comprises: computer-usable program codethat, for each virtual key, associates the virtual key with a sub-regionof the magnified selected region within the first layer beneath thevirtual key; and computer-usable program code that, responsive to asubsequent user input selecting a physical key of the physical keyboard,selects a sub-region of the magnified selected region corresponding tothe selected physical key and increases a level of magnification for theselected sub-region within the first layer while keeping the virtualkeyboard sizing constant.
 18. The computer program product of claim 16,wherein the computer-usable program code that, responsive to a userinput selecting a physical key of the physical keyboard, selects aregion corresponding to the selected physical key and increases a levelof magnification for the selected region within the first layer whilekeeping the virtual keyboard sizing constant further comprisescomputer-usable program code that redraws the GUI with the selectedregion centered beneath the virtual keyboard and at a higher level ofmagnification, wherein the selected region occupies a greater area of adisplay than was occupied at the lower level of magnification.
 19. Thecomputer program product of claim 16, wherein the computer-usableprogram code further comprises: computer-usable program code that,responsive to receiving a user input, assigns one of a plurality ofprogrammatic actions to each physical key of the physical keyboard; andcomputer-usable program code that, responsive to a user input selectinga physical key mapped to a virtual key above an icon within the firstlayer, initiates the assigned programmatic action on the icon.
 20. Thecomputer program product of claim 19, wherein the computer-usableprogram code further comprises computer-usable program code thatdetermines that the virtual key is above the icon and, in response,changes an appearance of the virtual key to indicate that selection ofthe physical key corresponding to the virtual key initiates theprogrammatic action upon an object.